Background and Problem Statement

The Harijon community, often referred to as Dalits, has long endured entrenched social stigma and discrimination in Bangladesh. This community faces multifaceted challenges, including economic marginalization, social exclusion, and limited access to health, education, and public services. Restricted to menial occupations, many within the Dalit community face barriers to social mobility and economic security. Limited access to quality education, healthcare, and alternative livelihoods means that members of this community are often trapped in cycles of poverty and discrimination. The Harijon community in Kushtia exemplifies these issues, facing limited opportunities for economic empowerment and a lack of representation in decision-making processes.

This project was developed in response to these challenges, with the overarching goal of empowering the Dalit community to advocate for their rights, access essential services, and pursue socioeconomic mobility.

Project Duration: From March 2006 to February 2008

Project Location: Kushtia District, Bangladesh

Project Beneficiaries:

Approximately 2,000 Dalit (Harijon) individuals in Kushtia, including marginalized women and children from the community.

Financial Partner: Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF)

Project Goals and Objectives

Primary Goal: To uplift the Dalit (Harijon) community by enhancing their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, ultimately fostering dignity, equality, and sustainable livelihoods.

Objectives:

• Objective: Mobilizing the Harijon community for the protection of the rights of the Harijon.
• Objective: Establishing the health & education rights of the Harijon community through increasing their accessibility in various government non-government facilities.
• Objective: Sensitizing the general people to develop positive attitude to the Harijon community in order to involve them in development activities.
• Objective: Creating alternative livelihood.

Key Activities and Implementation Strategies

1. Awareness and Capacity Building

• Human Rights Training: Workshops on human rights, child and women rights, anti-discrimination laws, and leadership skills for Harijon community leaders to enhance their capacity for advocacy.
• Legal Literacy Programs: Sessions on understanding legal rights, including access to free legal aid, to help community members navigate and confront injustices.

2. Enhancing Access to Education and Health

• School Enrollment Drives: Collaborated with local schools to increase Harijon children’s enrollment rates, supporting parents with awareness sessions on the importance of education.
• Health Camps and Awareness Workshops: Organized periodic health camps, providing medical checkups and essential vaccinations. Workshops focused on reproductive health, disease prevention, and hygiene practices.
• Partnerships with Local Healthcare Providers: Established agreements with local healthcare providers to ensure free or discounted services for the Harijon community members.

3. Economic Empowerment through Vocational Training

• Skill Development Programs: Offered training sessions in trades like handicrafts, tailoring, and other income-generating skills, specially tailored for Harijon women. The goal was to expand their opportunities beyond traditional labor roles.
• Microfinancing and Entrepreneurship Support: Provided microfinancing support and guidance on business planning to help trained individuals start small businesses or cooperatives.

4. Social Inclusion and Public Awareness Campaigns

• Cultural and Awareness Events: Organized public events such as rallies, seminars, and cultural programs to raise awareness about the issues facing the Harijon community. These events aimed to foster empathy and understanding among the broader public.
• Local Advocacy Initiatives: Partnered with local government and community-based organizations to advocate for policies and programs that reduce discrimination and enhance inclusivity for marginalized communities.

5. Community Representation and Leadership

• Formation of Community Committees: Supported the establishment of Harijon-led committees to give the community a voice in local governance and advocate for their needs.
• Capacity Building for Local Leadership: Advocacy & communication and Leadership training programs encouraged community members to actively participate in local decision-making and represent Harijon interests in public forums.

6. Functional Focus and Advocacy Role of Advocacy Groups

• Community Engagement and Awareness: Advocacy Groups (Consisting of influential Civil Society Members) conducted regular workshops, meetings, and public events aimed at fostering positive attitudes toward Dalits. These activities sought to bridge social divides, address stereotypes, and increase acceptance of the Dalit community within broader society.
• Support in Accessing Government Services: Advocacy Groups facilitated connections between Dalits and government programs, specifically the SafetyNet scheme, which provided essential benefits like healthcare, social security, and education subsidies.
• Influence on Policy and Local Governance: The groups actively participated in discussions with local policymakers and stakeholders, aiming to secure rights and promote equal service access for Dalits. Their involvement was crucial in pushing for inclusive policies and dismantling barriers faced by the Dalit community.

Project Outcomes and Impact

Since its inception, the project has achieved significant milestones in improving the lives of Harijon individuals in Kushtia:

•    Increased School Enrollment and Retention: Enrollment in school among Harijon children increased by 100%, with community leaders actively participating in local education initiatives. The project also saw reduced dropout rates due to increased support for families regarding the value of education.

•    Service Access Improvement: Through collaboration with Advocacy Groups, over 80% of the targeted Harijon households have accessed SafetyNet and other government services, improving healthcare, social security, and education accessibility.

•    Improved Health and Hygiene Awareness: Through health camps and awareness sessions, community members are now better informed about basic health, hygiene, and disease prevention practices. Increased access to healthcare services has contributed to a decrease in preventable illnesses within the community.

•    Economic Empowerment and Employment Opportunities: More than 150 individuals received vocational training, with many establishing micro-enterprises in tailoring, handicrafts, and small-scale businesses. Women, in particular, have seen a boost in income through alternative employment options, enhancing family welfare and financial security.

•    Reduction in Discrimination and Social Stigma: Public awareness campaigns including cultural activities, coupled with legal literacy sessions, have empowered the Harijon community to speak out against discrimination. Instances of harassment have decreased as community members gain confidence and support from local leaders and NGOs

•    Enhanced Community Leadership and Representation: Committees within the Harijon community now play an active role in local governance, advocating for their needs and ensuring that their voices influence community decisions.

•    Empowered Advocacy and Governance Involvement: The establishment of community-led advocacy groups has strengthened the Dalit community’s representation, allowing for more meaningful participation and influence within local governance structures.

Challenges Faced

While the project has made substantial progress, several challenges remain:

1. Panchayat System

• The traditional Panchayat system often restricts Dalit participation, limiting access to local governance. Efforts to involve Dalit leaders in Panchayat decision-making have faced resistance, requiring continuous advocacy for inclusivity.

2. Deep-Rooted Social Stigma

• Changing longstanding social perceptions requires sustained public engagement and is often slow. While some improvements are visible, discrimination still persists, creating barriers to full social integration.

3. Economic Constraints

• Limited resources for microfinancing and job creation restrict economic opportunities. Expanding these programs is essential for sustainable financial independence among Dalit community members.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

1. Engagement with Local Stakeholders: Collaboration with local government and NGOs has been essential in overcoming systemic barriers and creating long-term solutions.
2. Holistic Approach: Combining education, health, economic empowerment, and community mobilization is more effective in addressing the complex needs of marginalized communities.
3. Importance of Community Leadership: Empowering community members to lead initiatives fosters ownership and sustainability, as they become champions of their own progress.
4. Ongoing Public Awareness Efforts: Continued advocacy and public awareness are critical to reducing stigma and discrimination against marginalized communities like the Harijon.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Through the combined efforts of Advocacy Groups and community-led initiatives, the project has substantially improved service access, awareness, and economic conditions for the Dalit community in Kushtia. By prioritizing education, health, and economic empowerment, this project demonstrates that holistic, community-centered approaches effectively address complex social issues. Moving forward, the project plans to:

• Formation and Strengthening of a National Platform: Establishing a unified platform for the Harijon community is essential to bolster national advocacy for Dalit rights and access to vital services. This organization would focus on building community skills, fostering leadership, and ensuring consistent representation in policy discussions, ultimately enhancing social inclusion and access to government resources.
• Expand Vocational Training: Develop training programs in new sectors such as mobile servicing, electrical work, and refrigerator servicing for sustainable employment of Harijon youth.
• Strengthen Advocacy Efforts: Increase efforts to work with local governance to dismantle discriminatory structures in the Panchayat system.
• Promote Public Awareness: Continue public awareness campaigns to further reduce stigma and promote Dalit inclusion in all areas of society.